Storm No. 3 makes landfall: Is putting tape on glass windows really effective?

(Dan Tri) - On many apartment groups in Hanoi, residents continuously share tips for safe storm protection. Among them, the method of sticking X-shaped tape on glass doors is applied by many people.

Storm No. 3 is approaching the mainland with strong winds of level 9, gusts of level 11, causing many localities to urgently deploy preventive measures.

In that context, protecting glass doors, especially in apartments and high-rise buildings, becomes a top concern of people.

Many people have adopted the method of applying diagonal tape to their windows in the hope of reducing the risk of glass breakage. This is a popular idea that has long been believed to be able to strengthen glass against strong winds.

Residents of an apartment building in Nam Tu Liem district put tape on their glass doors to protect against storm Yagi in 2024 (Photo: PTH).

However, according to information from ABC , there is no scientific research proving the effectiveness of this method.

On the contrary, many experts have issued warnings and counter-recommendations. The Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory's (AOLM) Hurricane Research Unit asserts that taping is "a waste of time, effort, and tape" because it "does not increase the resistance of glass windows" to the pressure and high wind speeds of a hurricane.

Tape across windows is ineffective in protecting windows from high-wind storms (Photo illustration: Shutterstock).

Dr David Henderson, a cyclone expert at James Cook University, said the tape could only hold broken glass together, making cleanup easier and possibly waterproof.

He recommends that if you want to apply the film, apply it in a checkerboard pattern instead of an X, although this method will not protect the window glass from shattering.

Even more, using tape can pose a safety risk. When glass breaks, the tape holds the pieces together into a larger, more dangerous mass that can cause serious injury if it comes loose.

Instead of using duct tape, experts recommend that people use barriers or plywood to protect their glass doors. Additionally, keep windows closed and stay away from areas with a lot of glass to minimize the risk of injury from broken glass during storms.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/khoa-hoc/bao-so-3-do-bo-dan-bang-dinh-len-cua-kinh-co-thuc-su-hieu-qua-20250721124627712.htm